Resilient wheel.



W. H. SELLS.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION HLED FEE-5,1915 1,,Z80,316. I Patented Oct.1,1918.

2 SflEETS-SHEET 1.

l9 v- IMVENTEIR \A/IT M55555 ATTEIRNEYE:

enr ch.

WILLIAM H. snLLs, or BUFFALO; NEWYORK.

To all whom it may concern:

- ticularly designed for automobiles Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. SELLS, a citizen 8 of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Resilient Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to. a resilient wheel and has for its object the production of a wheel of this character whichis more para an which will not only provide a resilientconnection between the axle andthe felly of y the wheel which is of simple, inexpensive and durable construction but which also operates to prevent sudden rebound of the wheel and also prevent circumferential play between the relativelymovable inner and outer sections of the hub of the wheel so as to insure prompt and effective transmission of "power from the-inner to theouter hub section and also exert an effective operation of the brake. t

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a resilient wheel embodying my improvements and showing the same applied to the rear or driving axle of an automobile. Fig. Qis. a vertical section of the same taken in line 22, Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary vertical transverse sections taken inthe correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 2. Figs. 5. and 6 are fragmentary sections taken in the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a vertical section showing my improvements appliedto the front or steering wheel of an automobile. 1

Similar chajracters'of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

V Referring to Figs. 16, 1 represents the driving or rear axle or shaft of an automobile which may be turned in any suitable manner and which is Ournaled in a bearing 2 forming part'of the stationary axle housing'3 which is mounted on the frame of the automobile. 4 7 represents the felly of the wheel which receives the tire 5 adapted to bear upon the ground. This tire may he of any suitable construction but as shown in the drawings the same s constructed of .solid rubber and is seated'in a rim 6 secured to the periphery oftheffelly. r

Between the axle 1 and the folly of the wheel are arranged the means which operate to produce a driving connection be- RESILIENT WHEEL.

if Specification of Letters Patent. Patented @431 1, 1918, Application filed February 5, 1915.. Serial No. 6,254.

their normal central position in which they are axially in alinement.

' In its general .organlzatlon these means comprise an inner hub sectionwhich is operatively connected with the axle and an outer hub section which is operatively con.- nected with the felly. The inner hub section preferably comprises front and rear disks or plates 7, 8 'of substantially circular formwhich are spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the axle and are connected rigidly with each other adjacent to their peripheral portions by means of a plurality of rearwardly projecting spacing lugs 9 formed on the rear side of the front disk and engaging at their'rear ends with the front ends of forwardly projecting spa cing lugs 10 formed on the front side of the rear disk, as shown in Fig. 2. Each pair of corresponding lugs on these disks are. connected by means of a screw 11 whichhas its head arranged in a counter sunk recess 12 formed on the outer side of the front disk 7. These two disks are preferably centered relatively to each other and the screws connecting the same are relieved from radial strains by providing the rear end of tightening of the screws 11 th'efront and rear. disks will be securely held in a central position relatively to each other and these screws will be relieved of any lateral strains. The front disk of the inner hub section is provided centrally with a rearwardly flaring conical socket or opening 15 which receives the conical portion. 16 at the front end of the axle and this disk is securely clamped on the axle, so that the same and its companion rear disk will turn with the axle, by means ofa screw nut17 appliedto the outer end of-the axle and bearing against the outer side of the front disk through themedium of an interposed washer 18, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rear disk of the inner hub section is rotatably mounted uponthe adjacent part of the axle housing 3 prefer: ably by means of an annular row of rollers 19 interposed between the bore of the central opening in this rear disk and the adjacent v vided on its rear side with an inwardly-projecting annulanflange 22 engaging with the rear ring of the rollers 19'so a's to -confine this roller bearing against rearward displacement on the axlehousing. 1

The outer hub section may be variously constructed but, as shown in Figss1and2, the same preferably comprises 1 a substantially cylindrical outer wall28 which is provided on its outer side-witlraplurality of sockets 24: each of whichis adaptedito receive the inner end of a spoke 25, ithe outer end of-the latter being secured to the adjacent part ofijthe felly, a rear disk 26 projecting inwardly from the rear edge of the-cylindrical 'wall and preferably formed [integrally therewith and a front disk 27 which is preferably detachably connected at its outer edge with theifront edge: of the 'cylindricahwall by means of screws 28,'as 'sliowin'althougliany other suitable "means nlay beprovided for this purpose; if desired. The rear'disk of the outer hub section is i'provide'dwith a centralopening-29so asto permit the inner part oftherear *diskof the inner hub section to projectwrearwardly through the same while'the outeri-part of this rear disk of theinnerhubsections bears -withits rearside against the'f-ront sideaof the rear disk of the outer'hubsection, as shown in Fig. 2. The front disk ofthe outer hub section extends entirely across the space within the cylindrical wall soas to completely inclose the inner hub section and the parts associated therewith. The outer part ofthe frontidisk -of the outer hub section bears with its rear side against the outer part of "the front side of'the lfrontdisk of the inner hub section while the central part 30 of the front diskofthe outer hub section isbulged or deflected forwardlyso as to clear the clamping nut 17 of the axle. It will bGdlOtGCl thatby this means the inner 'hub section engagesslidingly in -a radial "direction with'theouterhub section soiithat these hub sections are capable-of moving radially but are prevented from moving zaxiallyrelatively to :each other represents the brake drum which is provided with a radial web 32 secured with its outer part by means of screws 33 to the -rear side of the inner part of the rear disk of the inner hub section while the outer part ofthis web engages with the rear side of the rear disk of the outer hub section. By thismcansthe brake drum is utilized to further retain the inner and outer hub sections against axial movement relatively to eachother. Dirt, sand and'grit'iarezprevented from entering the joint between the web of the brakedrum and; the rear disk of the outer hub :section by means of c an annular packing 34 arranged in an annular groove formed on the front side of the web ofr'the brakeidrum adjacent to the periphery thereofandengagingiwith the rearside of the rear i :disk of the outer l hub section, as shownin-Fi-g; 2. a v l I Y J The means Wherebya: driving connection is pro duce'd betweeir the inner and outer hub sections and these parts are cushioned relatively' to each otheiwand are preferably constructed as followsi v a 35 represents -:a-pluralityof connecting rods which are arranged radially= relatively to the axis of the'hubvsections and iassoci= ated parts and preferably distributed equidistant in the g circumferential row :around the same.- Each of these rods is arranged with its inner part between-the front and rear disks of the hub-sections HIICliiSPI'O' vided at its outer endwith a couplinghead 36. ,Each of theseacoupling heads is arranged within an outwardly jiprojecting pocket; 37 formed on the adjacent part a of the cylindrical wall ofpthe outer :hub section and is pivotally; connected therewith by means of a horizontal longitudinal pivot pin 38 passing through the pivot head ofthe' connecting rod and corresponding: openings formed in the front and rear side of this pocket and provided at: its 7 front end with a head 39 bearing against the front side of this pocket while its rear end is iprovided with a cotter pin LO-bearingagainst the rear side of the sa1ne,asshown miFigQ. The

ing rod are capable of radial movement rela- V tively to each other. .This sliding connection; may be effected by various l means but $882 shown i-n'thei drawings this means pref -crably comprises an inner bearingmeniber or collar 41' having an internally screw threaded opening which engages with the inner portion; of; the threadon the connecting rod, and frontand, reargnide-Jugs s 2, 43 fornred on the frontand rear sides of this inner-collar and engaging with radial V slotsta A-ti formed in'the adjacentparts of the front and reardisks of the inner'hub section. This inner collar is "securely clamped in position on'the respective connecting rod by means of a clamping nut 46 applied to the inner end of this rod and bearing against the inner side of saidinner collar, as shown in'Fig. 2. The guide lugs 42, 43 are somewhat narrower than the width ofthe guide slots 44, 45 and the'openings in the bearing members 48 are somewhat larger than the diameter of the rods 35 so as to allow of the requisite play of the rods 85 on a plane crosswise ofthe' axis of the Wheel when thesame is in use; p

7-represents aplurality of outer bearing members or collars each of Which-is adjustably connected with the outer part ofone of the connecting rods by means of an internal screw thread formed in a central opening in thisoollar and engaging with the thread of the respective connecting rod adjacent toits pivot head. i

48 represents a plurality of intermediate bearing members each of which is preferably constructed inthe form of a collar or ring and surrounds one of the connecting rodsbetween the companion inner and outer hearing collars, Each of these intermediate col lars is free to movelengthwise upon therespective connecting rod by providing the central part of this collar with an opening through which the connecting rod passes freely, as shown in Fig. 2. On its opposite sides this intermediate collar is provided with front and rear supporting lugs or projections 4:9, 50, which engage respectively with supporting openings 51, 52 formed in the adjacent parts of the front and rear disks of the inner'hub section. These supporting lugs, of the intermediate collar are preferably of circular and conical form, the front gage being of correspondingly circular and conical form.

- 53 represents a plurallty of outer 'cushion "springs each of which is preferably con- I and the outer side of the arranged around the inner'part ofone of the I connecting rods and bearing with its inner end against the outer side of the inner hearing collar thereon and the inner side of the companion intermediate collar, as shownin FigQQ. When a load is imposed upon the 'axlerof the wheel-the inner hub section is depressed and is yieldingly supported by "lars which are also arranged above the center of: the wheel. 'Bythis means the cushioning effect of the Wheel is distributed around the entire circumference ofthe same and all of the springs are successively brought into play for yieldingly supporting or cushioning the load-imposed upon the axle when the wheel is rolling over the ground.

When the tire of the wheel strikes an obstructionin the road and is moved upwardlv suddenly ,or quickly relatively to the axle the resilient action of the springs is the same inasmuch as during this time thoseouter springs which are arrangedbelow the center of the wheel. are compressed upwardly against the companion intermediate collars by those outer collars which are arranged below the axis of the wheel and those inner "springs which are arranged above the axis of the wheel are compressed upwardly against the companion intermediate collars by those inner collars which at this time are above the axis of the wheel. An upward rebound of theaxleafter a sudden depression of the same is cushioned by those "ofthe inner springs which are arranged below the axis of the wheel and those of the outer springs which arezarranged above the axis of the wheel, this being duetothe inner bearing springsbeing compressed upwardly by the lower intermediate collar against the lower inner collar and the upper outer s'prings'being compressed by the upper in termediate collars against the upper outer collars so that this cushioningdevice at this time operates as a shock absorber and prevents any sudden or jarring'action so that the automobile is not affected injuriously nor discomfort caused to the passengers.

When the axle of the wheel is a driving axle and part of the means whereby the automobileis propelled, as is the case inthe construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the

power of the axle for rotating the felly of the wheel is transmitted from the inner hub section to the outer hub section in part directly through themedium of the inner collate and the connecting rods and partly through the medium of the intermediate collars and the springs 53, 54"which are imposed between opposite sides of the intermediate collars and the inner and outer collars on the connecting rods. This transmission of power -fron1 the 4 intermediate collzuzs ,to the connecting rods is pron oted :by providii get ie inn r en -outert-i ide f ea h of -th int rmed e boil with so e r 5 55 i 5 which the aolj eeent, ends of [the ;eo ,Pai1 i-Q;n inner 1211-1 1 outer, springs ere secune1-y;.,seeted an it s ie ioviid ng e h o th inne and outer collarswith-sockets 1 5 7, 58,; respeetively, in-W1ii nthe Jedi M61111 wi e o @116 eompe 5L0 i01 inn r ute swing ta ec el seated, 1 Aimechmiicel, driving -eonneetion; is --t e efore=obt ned 1 f om th Wi m el se tion totheouter seetion through the; medium ftheinner hea ing ell s en t h c nne t- !115 'ingr rqds and ,an elastic ,ciriving een neetion is @securedibetween'these; partsthrough theme ,dium of the intermediate, eollers and the inner end iontensprings, v aw l the iene emt oi rll brs etien e J ch nging th r "nosit onin dielly relatively .to each ,othertdnring; the operat on oflthe Wheel the seve al conne t ng ami em ways reta-ined in position; yelzttively to, these ,hub sections ,so'that a, reliable driving icon- "neetionvisimaintained between these hubseetions. and no sleek can occur. eteny, time in, n oireuinfe1'entie1 ,eli-rection. This is due to i the] fact thatthe intermediate ,eollers receive zthe pz incipal mart of the driving strein 3,0 Avhieh, is transmitted in turnto; the, inner, end ,outer beairing eolle1's v through ,thein e dium. of v the ,inner and outer, springs and the inner be ri g colla s er f to lid m i ly in the vinner hub sections hiletl e ,ivheel is ;-1 35.turning,1,under theloed. Each'ofthe con- ,necting rods ,iS therefore practically sup- ,ported at r two; points on :the inner; hub, -,-see- L.ti0n,- that isto say et. its innen endby means -o its inner bearing collan and between; its in 1 nor and outer ends-by, the COI11132I11i011-,il1t61- enedieteabeering eo11ar,'-Wl;1ich.t o bearing points, i re inz-elinement and; practically, pre- --vent therespectiVeconnecting Tod- .ffiogn bei 1g degflected out of its IIOIlIlith-POSitiQII re- .gardless of ;the,1oad -\v11ie h is imposed, upon V- themvheel end also regur'dless of the variable POSiLiOIIS-WhiOh: this connecting, nod assumes relatively to; the. axis of the-Wheel. v BY IGHlOViHQI the trout .disksrof -theflnner enct outer hub sections, the innerendhouter bearing coliarsware easily accessible. for ed- ;j-usting them om the eonnectingrods so as to lobtein the proper tension ofthe springs to -earrry thelload which is to beborne; thereby $.55 rendering it possible to easily edept the wheehfor various, kinds of Work. l

In adapting my invention to a Wheel ,xvhiehis used as the front or steeringwvheel m ofen automobile, as shown in Fig. the near -c1iskn59 of the innerhub section iSilDlOVidQd with w fomvardiy projecting. sleeve which .passes through .ZLIYLOPQDiIQQuGl-ill the coin- .panion front disk .62 end is, jou 'naledupon the-front axle 63 by means of e roller bearing e65 ,fi/i .on-eny, ,othensuyteble intlnnelyetlld the rear xeges s (sid o -th tea -1:d sh heiime ilmb A se t on 'ev thoue nt r eringmi hith flelteee w 1" th i 1 co tr o 41 1 e-i temebile iEie't er more, e lmfsth npert i eei lh -a edi ya ble end r easy efieeeee i er inspection, ,edii tmeet or inep iesleiit i iit we iepl ted form the seine presents a, neat and ,ettreetive nepeen 'nee V *TI-elai esmyii-nventiem 1 x i u A ilient Whee icmn i i eiieeemed u r:hw wsection Wh tei-meveblex edi- .itllyil t-blfittivqilygto l 1' i p educiegi in .veisend; .uehieeiee co ne tio :betweznseid teem 1 s; eem

pr ieeieiiler ity ,e v il -vce e t-ieer d each of whichis even-nest. a ts ,e teri ed with ai @M 'fi wh111 eeet en see eslide l {m dially at th ni eri i i n m te :seetieite pl rality Qfiileeheeri gen heli e ch o wh e i meee ec the 1 en w e no onset h eenn iegwlied izmdi s de "c m e e w t .t e innenhu see ient eaplutm itv ,o ou h eting imemher each o whi h nneunte the 'eute wpert o n ef:t e emi e eg m lsweiplu i itv Q nte m d te e g wmem er SW11. of wh ch ii :emne e aen e vth e eetieetweet we n t e mp n o i inne il li fit is b er- N S lofiwsa d 1Qd end iimomit z wth n e hub section, a, plurality of innerspringseeeh e mt rp dsb twe iea hq n ermediat be ins em n e h eeme e e i inner: bearin ele -b e. en i. p un li y-ie eeu e spries eeeh int gp ee betwe zione o th ii termediate '-.be ng me ber t e =.eu bee netembers H oornpanion 2. 3 A resilient ivi eel -leoinprising inner hub section having front end reandisks eeeh of which is provided with; Plueelity f p ir of m sl s1end e p iv el yl e pa r o i upporting F opening e e te thu satee h vi g t 1 an ine iidisk whie erlsee wit the w m team m s de f v the ont i ne' p e etsi eplunelityvefiRadia contes -1 ng 1to,ds arranged between said front andrear disks and. each pivote11vseeured et its outer ndeeend k it inn eub-se tiee ndels $11.

p v d with a ple elityiet eutweedly proend i one .of sai L=Pee te t ,p eitelity o 535 inner bearing collars each mounted on the inner end of one of said rods and provided on its opposite side with lugs which slide in a pair of said slots in said inner hub section, a plurality of outer bearing collars each of which is mounted on the outer part of one of said connecting rods, a plurality of intermediate bearing collars each of which is slidable lengthwise on one of said connecting rods between the inner and outer collars thereon and provided on its opposite sides with supporting lugs which engage in a pair of said supporting openings in the inner hub section, a plurality of inner springs each interposed between one of said intermediate bearing collars and the adjacent inner collar, and a plurality of outer springs each interposed between one of said intermediate bearing collars and the adjacent outer bearing collar.

3. A resilient wheel comprising an inner hub section having front and rear disks which are provided on their opposing sides with cooperating spacing lugs and screws connecting the corresponding pairs of said lugs, each of said lugs having an inclined face which engages with a correspondingly inclined face 011 the companion lug and the inclines of the several lugs together forming a conical joint between the lugs of the front and rear disks of the inner hub section, an outer hub section having front and rear disks engaging with the corresponding disks of the inner hub section, and resilient means operatively connecting said inner and outer hub sections.

Witness my hand this 4th day of Feb ruary, 1915.

WILLIAM H. SELLS. Witnesses:

THEO. L. Porr, ANNA I-Inrers.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the, Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

